Accessory and fastener therefore

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to clothing apparel by using a fastener therefore. The present invention describes an accessory having: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head; and a fastener having: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority from the following commonly owned application: U.S. Provisional application No. (______), entitled ACCESSORY AND FASTENER THEREFORE, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to an accessory and a fastener therefore. More specifically, the present invention relates to an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to an object by using a fastener therefore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been known that objects such as clothing apparel can be altered and improved in appearance by attaching accessories.

A typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a common metal or award. Metals are attached using a horizontal pin and hook arrangement. The problem with this arrangement is that the pin must be forced through two points of the clothing. This forcing of the pin may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously inserted and removed.

Another typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a broach. Broaches are attached using a straight pin and clasp. Also, the problem with this arrangement is that the pin must be forced through the clothing and into the clasp. This forcing of the pin may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously inserted and removed. Another problem with this arrangement is that it is quite difficult to align the pin with the clasp.

Another typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a name tag. Name tags are attached using a clamp. The problem with this arrangement is that the clamp pinches the clothing. This pinching of the clamp may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously clamped on and off.

A more recent example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a one piece shoe charm. One piece shoe charms are attached by inserting a flat hook through a prefabricated hole in the shoe. The problem with this arrangement is that, once locked into position, it must be forcibly pushed from the inside out to remove. This forced action may significantly cause wear and tear of the prefabricated hole. Also, it is difficult to place one's finger inside the shoe, feel for and find the charm, and then force the charm out of the prefabricated hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of the invention is that it provides an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to an object by using a fastener therefore.

In one aspect of the invention, an accessory includes: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head.

In another aspect of the invention, clothing apparel includes: a fastener including: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed.

In another aspect of the invention, clothing apparel includes: an accessory having: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head; and a fastener having: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is inside the fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is used in combination with clothing apparel. Examples of clothing apparel include hats, shirts, shoes, holed foam footwear, belts, bags, straps, mobile phone straps and the like.

Now, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The accessory of this embodiment includes an accessory head 1 and a threaded body 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the threaded body 2 is integrated with the accessory head 1. This integration may be conducted by bonding the threaded body 2 into a concave portion of the accessory head 1.

The accessory head 1 may be made of PVC, plastic, metal and the like. The accessory head 1 may also include designs or patterns that alter the appearance of clothing apparel. Examples of the accessory head 1 include a charm, a metal, a broach a name tag, jewelry and the like. Also, the accessory head 1 may include eye loops and the like for attaching other objects thereto. The length and thickness of the accessory head 1 is in the range of about 10 to 20 mm and 5 to 10 mm, respectively.

The threaded body 2 may be made of soft plastic, metal and the like. The thread of the threaded body 2 is formed in a substantially spiral manner. An example of the threaded body 2 includes a screw. The length of the threaded body 2 is in the range of about 2 to 5 mm.

A fastener of this embodiment includes a horizontal part 3 and a vertical part 4. As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the vertical part 4 is integrated with the horizontal part 3 in a T-shaped manner. These two parts may be formed together by injection molding or casting into one piece.

The horizontal part 3 may be made of plastic, metal and the like. One side of the horizontal part 3 may be formed substantially flat. The flat side is fixed to clothing apparel 5 by bonding, gluing and the like. The length and thickness of the horizontal part 3 is in the range of about 10 to 20 mm and 2 to 4 mm, respectively.

The vertical part 4 may be made of plastic, metal and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the top of the vertical part 4 has an open concave section. The fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel 5 with the top of the concave vertical part 4 being externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel 5. In the concave section, an elastic member 6 is formed on the circumference of the concave portion. The elastic member 6 may be a diaphragm, deformable plastic member, hard rubber and the like. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the top of the elastic member 6 is at a downward angle, and the bottom of the elastic member 6 is substantially flat. As shown in FIG. 1, the edge of the elastic member 6 is seated between the threads of the threaded body 2. Since the top of the elastic member 6 is at a downward angle, the accessory can only be urged into the fastener in one motion, however, it cannot be simply pulled out of the fastener. The thickness of the elastic member 6 is in the range of about 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The angle of the top of the elastic member 6 is in the range of about 20 to 60 degrees.

The method of inserting the accessory into the fastener is conducted as follows. First, the threaded body 2 of the accessory is aligned with the concave opening of the fastener. Next, the accessory is urged so that the threaded body 2 slides and squeezes past the elastic member 6 in a one touch motion. This one touch motion continues until the bottom of the accessory head 1 is substantially flush with the clothing apparel 5. Although the accessory may be urged into the fastener in a one touch motion, the fastener may also be screwed in.

The method of removing the accessory out of the fastener is conducted as follows. First, one holds the accessory with one's hand. Then, the accessory is screwed out by continuously turning until the entire threaded body 2 exits the fastener.

Other Embodiments

Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The accessory of this embodiment includes an accessory head 11 and a threaded body 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the top surface of the threaded body 12 is integrated with the accessory head 11. This integration may be conducted by bonding the top of the threaded body 12 to the substantially flat bottom the accessory head 11.

A fastener of this embodiment includes a horizontal part 13 and a vertical part 14. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the vertical part 14 is integrated with the horizontal part 13 in a T-shaped manner. These two parts may be formed together by injection molding or casting into one piece.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hole is formed through the entire vertical part 14. Although a hole is shown to go through the entire vertical part 14, the hole may only be formed part way into the vertical part 14. The fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel 15 with the top of the vertical part 14 being externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel 15. In the hole of the vertical part 14, spiral elastic threads 16 are formed on the circumference of the vertical part 14 hole. These elastic threads 16 may be a deformable plastic member, hard rubber and the like. Since spiral elastic threads 16 are formed in the hole of the vertical part 14, the threaded body 12 can be urged into position by a one touch or one push insert application until the bottom surface of the accessory head 11 is flush against the clothing apparel 15. Once the threaded body 16 is inserted and seated between threads, it has to be screwed out to remove from the fastener. Any combination of construction material for the threaded screw or fastener which allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal is considered to be in the scope of this invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the elastic member 26 may be a slotted plastic diaphragm. This configuration allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal. Although a slotted configuration is shown, a non-slotted plastic diaphragm may be used as long as it allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal. 

1. An accessory comprising: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head.
 2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory head is one selected from the group consisting of a charm, a metal, a broach, a name tag and jewelry.
 3. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the threaded body is a screw.
 4. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory head includes an eye loop.
 5. Clothing apparel comprising: a fastener including: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed.
 6. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is one selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm and a slotted plastic diaphragm and a hard rubber.
 7. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein the clothing apparel is one selected from the group consisting of a hat, a shirt, a shoe, a holed foam shoe, a belt, a bag, and a mobile phone strap.
 8. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein the top of the elastic member formed at a downward angle.
 9. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein the top of the elastic member formed at a downward angle in the range of 20 to 60 degrees.
 10. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein a flat side of the horizontal part is fixed to the clothing apparel by bonding or gluing.
 11. The clothing apparel according to claim 5, wherein the top of the concave vertical part is externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel.
 12. Clothing apparel comprising: an accessory having: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head; and a fastener having: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed.
 13. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member is one selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm and a slotted plastic diaphragm and a hard rubber.
 14. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the clothing apparel is one selected from the group consisting of a hat, a shirt, a shoe, a holed foam shoe, a belt, a bag, and a mobile phone strap.
 15. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the top of the elastic member formed at a downward angle.
 16. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the top of the elastic member formed at a downward angle in the range of 20 to 60 degrees.
 17. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein a flat side of the horizontal part is fixed to the clothing apparel by bonding or gluing.
 18. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the top of the concave vertical part is externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel.
 19. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the accessory head is one selected from the group consisting of a charm, a metal, a broach, a name tag and jewelry.
 20. The clothing apparel according to claim 12, wherein the threaded body is a screw. 